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Are the effects of subsidies on farm productivity heterogeneous? Does the direction and magnitude of subsidies impact depend on farm specialization? To address this question, I use farm-level data from Amur region in the Russian Far East for 2010–2014. The data set includes farms inputs and output as well as state subsidies and degree of farm specialization. The latter is defined as the share of crop production in total farm revenue. The sample of farms is not random but includes almost the entire set of corporate farms in the Amur Region. Using the data, I estimate the production function that allows me to study the relationships between total factor productivity (TFP), farms specialization and state subsidies. To test whether farm specialization moderates the impact of subsidies on TFP, an interaction term between specialization and subsidies was included in the model. So, I study how the marginal effects of subsidies change conditional on degree of specialization. My findings support the heterogeneous effect of subsidies on TFP depending on the degree of farm specialization. High degree of specialization on livestock production is associated with negative effects of subsidies on TFP, while I don’t fine a statistically significant connection between subsides and TFP for farms specializing on crop production. The research contributes to the discussion about the effects of state supports and subsidies on agricultural development and productivity in Russia and particularly in the Russian Far East

Construction of the Cobb – Douglas production function taking into account the factor “innovations and information” (on the example of the economy of the Amur region) has been considered. The adequacy of the obtained production function to the initial data has been checked using Fisher`s criterion. An analysis of the constructed production function using the indicators of average and marginal resource efficiency, elasticity of output, depending on resource consumption has been carried out. It has been revealed, that labor is the most stable factor during the study period. In the Amur Region in 2000-2017 labor-saving (intensive) gross regional product growth is observed. However, this indicator increased more slowly than factors, that is, the average costs calculated per 1 unit of output are growing and there is a diminishing effect on the scale of production.

The purpose of the study is a statistical analysis of the labor resources of the Amur Region as one of the components of the region’s competitiveness. Materials and methods. To conduct a statistical analysis of the region’s labor resources, statistical methods were used, such as calculating absolute and relative dynamics’ indicators, average values, structure indicators, comparative analysis, graphical analysis method, as well as a general theoretical analysis method of Russian literary sources. The main research method was dynamic analysis. To assess the competitiveness of the region, the rating method was used. The study is based on statistics from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, as well as the Territorial Authority of the Federal State Statistics Service in the Amur Region. In this research, the works of authors are presented: Vlasova V.I., Zemlyanukhina S.G., Shunina V.I., Shelomentseva M.V., Motrich E.L., Ryzhova N.P., Zhuravskaya T.N., Mishchuk S.N., Danchenko E.V., Ryazantseva S.V., Polevoy N.M., Ponkratova L.A., Tsarevskaya E.A., Koroleva S.I., Novikova I.V., Reimera V.V., Rychkova E.S., Dyachenko V.N., Lazareva V.V. and others. Results. The statistical analysis of the labor component of the competitiveness of the Amur Region made it possible to identify the unfavorable demographic situation in the region, manifested in the annual decline in the labor force in the region. In this case, migration loss leads to a population decline. It is important to note that the share of labor in the total population of the region is increasing every year. At the same time, this increase is higher for men than for women. The employment rate of the population of the Amur region at the age of 15–72 years is increasing every year. Perhaps this trend indicates a decline in the standard of living of the population of the region, which forces the population in old age to engage in economic activity. Confirmation of this fact is a decrease in unemployment in the region. Another trend indirectly indicating a decrease in household income is a 3.3-fold increase in employment among the elderly from 60 to 72 years. The largest number of labor resources is still engaged in trade. Assessment of the competitiveness of labor resources in the Amur region showed their inefficient use in the region. In the Far Eastern Federal District, the region is in the last but one place. Conclusion. The competitiveness of the region’s economy is determined by many factors, among which the labor potential occupies a special place. One of the most important tasks of successful socio-economic development of the region is to achieve the most efficient use of the potential of labor and business activity of the population of the region. It is possible to improve the use of labor resources in the region by creating new jobs, manufacturing products with high added value, increasing the level and quality of life of the population, creating the appropriate infrastructure for the life of the population of the territory. In the context of a reduction in the number of labor resources in the region, it is necessary to look for reserves to replenish them. In the increase in the retirement age of the population, attention should be paid to the elderly population as one of such reserves. In addition, taking into account the border position of the Amur region, we should think of the reasonable use for foreign labor in the region. The development and implementation of an effective policy of attracting older people and foreign citizens to work will achieve a balance in the formation and use of the labor potential of the region.

The relationship between size of farms and their productivity creates continuing debates in the economic literature, devoted to problems of development. For example, what type of agricultural enterprises are more efficient - small family farms or large agricultural enterprises that use a corporate model of doing business; or firms that operate large or small plots of land? This article attempts to answer the question about the relationship between performance and size of the firm in the agriculture of the Amur region. The results of the production function evaluation based on microeconomic panel data of agricultural enterprises of the Amur region for the period 2002-2014 indicate decreasing returns to scale of production. The resulting estimation of model (using as explanatory variable the area of agricultural land and arable land) reveals decreasing returns to scale which in turn indicate that the average size of agricultural enterprises is close to optimal only for those businesses for which the land area is a key parameter for economic results

The article views an experience of organizing statistical and economic surveys of Cossack and peasant farms in the Amur Region during the Amur expedition in 1910. It shows specific features of dividing into districts the underdeveloped and thinly populated Far-East’s territory, as well as of choosing a method of data collection (complete census) and devising a special survey program

The article views an experience of organizing statistical and economic surveys of Cossack and peasant farms in the Amur Region during the Amur expedition in 1910. It shows specific features of dividing into districts the underdeveloped and thinly populated Far-East’s territory, as well as of choosing a method of data collection (complete census) and devising a special survey program

The potentials and perspectives of using the macroeconomic scientific-informational maps in the regional economic structure and spatial organization analysis are examined. Using the examples of pilot sample maps of the Amur region created by the authors some specific methods of designing and improving the contents of basic maps, used as an informational source and an instrument of studying mature spatial socio-economic formations and also concluding maps, created during the study of the mapped region’s socio-economic space are described

The potentials and perspectives of using the macroeconomic scientific-informational maps in the regional economic structure and spatial organization analysis are examined. Using the examples of pilot sample maps of the Amur region created by the authors some specific methods of designing and improving the contents of basic maps, used as an informational source and an instrument of studying mature spatial socio-economic formations and also concluding maps, created during the study of the mapped region’s socio-economic space are described

Based on the statistical analysis of the data obtained in a questionnaire survey of heads and staff of enterprises of the fuel and power sector in Amur and Sakhalin regions, such factors influencing labor productivity as «strategy orientation», operational management», «scarcity» and «quantity» are determined. The multidirectional effect of factors, including strategic and operational methods of human resource management, is shown. The differences by industry in selecting methods of personnel management in separate industries of the power sector are identified

Based on the statistical analysis of the data obtained in a questionnaire survey of heads and staff of enterprises of the fuel and power sector in Amur and Sakhalin regions, such factors influencing labor productivity as «strategy orientation», «operational management», «scarcity» and «quantity» are determined. The multidirectional effect of factors, including strategic and operational methods of human resource management, is shown. The differences by industry in selecting methods of personnel management in separate industries of the power sector are identified